Lasting-tool.



F. D. OROSIER.

LASTING TOOL.

APPLIGATION FILED JUNB12,1911.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED D. CROSIER, OF MONTELLO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LASTING-TOOL.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRED D. CRosinR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montello, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Lasting-Tools, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specication, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in t-he several figures.

This invention relates to hand lasting` tools and particularly to a tool of the type known as spreaders or retarders, an exenipliiication of which is found in United States Letters Patent to Hebert, No. 780,996.

This application is a continuation of application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 584,504, filed September 29, 1910, as to all subject-matter that is common to the two applications.

Tools of this so-rt are commonly employed in connection with lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines to engage the upper at the toe and spread the same outwardly against the wipers and then to hold the upper outspread during the rubbing and wiping movements of the wipers, thereby retarding the movement of the upper over the wipers to increase the upper tensioning effect of the wipers. lith the usual form of spreader itis diiiicult to reach down over the toe to spread the upper against the wipers when they are depressed considerably below the plane of the insole, as they have to be in wiping up high toes. If the toes of right and left hand shoes are widely divergentin contour, as they are in many styles of shoes, it becomes advisable to have different tools for rights and lefts, thus increasing the number of tools the workman has to handle and correspondingly diminishing the rate of production. The usual spreader, moreover, comprises a plate which covers and obscures the toe end of the last, so that the operator cannot observe the position of the advance edge of the spreader relatively to the edge of the insole. `He can only estimate it from the amount of upper margin extending beyond the spreader, which estimate can be only approximately correct because of the variation in width of the upper margin on different shoes. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25,1913.

This app1ication filed June 12,

usual spreader acts mainly at the tip of the toe, at which point the stretch has been re moved from the leather by the pulling-over operation, while the sides of the toe where much stretch still remains in the leather receive little, if any, treatment by the spreader. Furthermore, in the use of the usual form of spreader, the strength of the workman is taxed in preventing the tool from slipping backward in response to the pressure of the wipers. The usual spreader, furthermore, has comprised a rigid plate which is unalterable in form, no provision being made for a change of cont-our of the tool for different shaped toes.

Objects of my invention accordingly are to provide a tool of this type which will readily reach down over the toe to engage the upper' upon the wipers when they are depressed well down from the plane of the insole; to provide a tool having two shaped portions adapted for right and left shoes; and to provide a spreader which will present the minimum of obstruction to the operators view of the work.

Furth-er objects are to provide aV tool which, after effecting local tensioning 'at the toe portion of the upper, will extend the tensioning action to the sides of the toe; and one which will be held from backward movement in response to the pressure of the wipers but will at the same time be permitted to tip about an aXis extending transversely of the tool.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a tool, particularly adapted for lasting right shoes and for lasting left shoes, which will respond readily to manipulation for effecting variation in contour to adapt it to different shaped right slices and to different shaped left shoes.

A very important feature of the invention is found in the Jformation thereof whereby it is readily set down over the toe of a last in contact with the upper upon the wipers when they are depressed below the plane of the insole. This formation, as herein shown, comprises an upstanding wall which extends about the periphery of the device. The front portion of the wall is adapted to be dropped over the forward end of the last upon the wipers located upon the opposite side of the upper from the tool.

The upper is gripped between the wipers and the thin lower edge of the tool and a spreading, smoothing and tensioning effect produced in addition to the smoothing effects which would be accomplished by the action of the wipers alone. The wall is provided with a square corner at its lower' yedge which is effective in gripping the upper and holding it or retarding its movement relatively to the wipers in response to the upward and inwiping movements thereof. The formation of a` tool with an inclosing band or wall of substantial height provides sufcient rigidity of construction for applying the necessary pressure to the upper and enables the band to inclose, surround or embrace the toe portion of the last as it is dropped down over the toe into Contact with the upper and is thus made to contact with the upper at a point considerably below the plane of the insole, without the plane of the lower face of the tool being greatly inclined to the plane of the insole.

A further important feature of the invention relates to the novel formation of my improved spreader comprising character-is tics of shape adapting it to right slices, and other characteristics of shape adapting it to left shoes. The spreader preferably comprises two portions, one of which is shaped to conform to a rightshoe and tlie other to conform to a left shoe, the said portions being preferably so arranged that either portion may be brought into operative position alternatively, as, for example, by rotation of the tool in a horizontal plane. This feature of the invention, as herein embodied, comprises a band which may or may not be provided with a stiffening rib upon its upper edge, the band having the outline of the toe portions of two soles cut off perpendicularly to their longitudinal axis and placed with their bases abutting. A somewhat oval or kidney-shaped outline is thus produced, one end of which corresponds to a right shoe and the other end to a left shoe.

A further important feature of the invention incident to the formation of the wall as a band or from a ribbon or strip o-f material lis the provision of an open area inclosed by the band which permits the operator to inspect the portion of the shoe sole surrounded by the wall and enables him to determine the position of t-he acting edge of the tool relatively to the sole and upper. As another feature of the invention, means is provided for preventing backward slipping of the tool due to pressure thereon of the upper when being operated upon by the lasting wipers, and particularly when the upper is being folded in over the feather of the insole by the wipers. This means comprises prongs or brads attached to or formed on the tool, and preferably located centrally thereof and in a line extending transversely of` the tool,

ysheet material.

the said brads being arranged to project below the plane of the lower edge of the wall or band and to engage or enter the insole.

s a further feature, moreover, the brads may serve as a transverse axis or fulcrum about which the tool may rotate, as the wipers raise it from its depressed position over the toe, and, as a further feature of the invention, as the toe rotates about this axis to a position more nearly horizontal, due to the upward movement of the wipers, the gripping of the upper extends or progresses from the point of the toe along the sides thereof and takes place finally between the side portions of the band and the end portions of the wipers, so that whereas the gripping at first, in the greater inclined initial position of the tool, is located at the tip of the toe, in the final position of the wipers the gripping action has progressed until the margin of the toe portion has been clamped by the wipers at the sides as well as, or it may be instead of, the toe, and is held thereagainst as they wipe in over the insole feather and beneath the lower edge of the tool.

These and other features of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description and from the drawings, in which,-

Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of my invention, a portion being broken away to show a section of the band; Fig. :2 is an elevation partly in longitudinal section, showing the tool in operative relation to the last, insole and upper of the shoe which is being lasted and to the wipers of thc lasting machine, the wipers being in depressed position; Fig. 3 is a` similar View showing the relative position of the parts after the wiper has been raised and wiped in over the insole feather; Fig. at is a top plan view of the tool shown in operative relation to the wipers and toe portion of the upper, the parts being in the position of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a median cross section showing the position of the brads with relation to the shoe parts; Fig. G is across sectional view, partly in perspective, of a somewhat modified form of construction, the band being shown without the stiffening rib; Fig. 'i' is a plan view of a further modification in which the band is formed of flexible material, showing the position of the band when deformed laterally by pressure to enable it to correspond with different shaped toes.

The device as shown in Fig. l may have as a body portion the band 2, the cross piece 4l and the flange 6 formed integral, these portions of the device heilig struck up from The brads S have reduced upper portions which are passed through holes in the cross bar Ll and reach down therefrom, as better shown in Fig.

The general contour of the device is best shown in Fig. et, the portions a having the greatest curvature corresponding to the toe portions of the lasts upon which they are to be used, the side portion b having a less curvature, the side portion @having a curvature intermediate between that of the portions o and Z), and the portion at l being curved or, it may be, substantially straight. Of the portions upon each side of the cross bar at one is thus contoured to conform to the shape of a right toe, while the one upon the opposite side corresponds to the contour of a left toe, either portion being brought into operative relation to the toe being operated upon by rotating the device about the axis of the handle l0. The handle is secured to the cross bar in any suitable manner, as indicated in Fig. 5 or 6. The brads S are preferably located, as indicated in Fig. 5, so as to contact with the insole inside the rib upon each side of the toe, and, being located upon a line extending transversely of the central portion of the tool, may constitute a fulcrum about which the tool may be partially rotated when in operation.

In Fig. 6 is shown a somewhat modified construction in which the band has no stiffening flange at its upper edge and is not integral with the cross piece. In this construction the band, loop or hoop Q is preferably formed of spring steel of sufficient rigidity for the purpose intended and may be substantially rigid, as in the form already described. A certain degree of flexibility of the band may, however, be desir'- able and it is within the invention to form the band of flexible material. The provision of a certain amount of flexibility in the band permits lateral deformation of the band when in use to enable it to fit more closely to different shaped toes and to equalize the strain placed upon it by the inwardly moving` wipers. In the modification, Fig. G, the cross bar is shown as having down-turned ends Q0 which are riveted at 22 to the band 2, the brads 8 being formed wit-h heads which are seated in countersunk holes in the cross bar et. To hold the ends of the brads 8 in their seats, a member 24 is provided which extends over the heads of the brads S and serves also as a ferrule for the handle l0. In this modification the handle is shown as attached by a screw 26 passing upward through the plate 4 into the handle l0.

In the operation of lasting the tool is first placed in its initial position as shown in Fig. 2 with the band 2 inclosing the toe portion of the last and the end bearing upon the upper to hold it down against the wipers i, of the lasting machine which are in this position depressed considerably below the plane of the insole. During the upward movement of the wipers the tool is held by the handle with its band tightly in contact with the upper material, which action serves to smooth out the wrinkles of the upper and to greatly increase the tensioning effect produced by the upwardly moving wipers. As the wipers move upwardly, the tool turns about the points of the brads 8 as a fulcrum until the position shown in Fig. 3 is reached when the wipers are in a position to wipe in the upper over the feather of the insole and to clamp it into position to be secured by wiring or otherwise, the tool operating still to hold the upper tightly in engagement with the wipers until they have fully wiped in and securely clamped the upper to the upper surface of the feather. During the upward movement of the wipers and the rotation of the tool about the transverse axis afforded by the brads, the contact of the band Q, with the upper has extended from a localized action in the initial position, Fig. 2, to an action along the sides of the toe as the position of Fig. 8 is reached, the action being to progressively clamp the upper to the wipers from the center of the toe toward the sides of the toe as the wipers move upwardly and the lower edge of the tool is brought into a position parallel with the wipers. In Fig. 3 it will be seen that the distance between the wipers and the lower edge of the device is substantially the same at the toe and at the sides adjacent the ends of the wipers, and that the upper is therefore clamped to the ends of the wipers when the parts are in the position of Fig. 3.

If the band 2 is formed of fiexible material, as indicated in Fig. 7 it will be seen that while the band, due to its width, is substantially rigid to upwardstresses, it may be readily deformed by lateral pressure, thus enabling it to conform readily to the toes of lasts having different swings and to toes of varying contours. Moreover the flexible band will act to equalize the pressure brought to bear thereupon by the wipers. If that pressure should be excessive at one portion, say the point or portion of greatest curvature, the tendency would be for that portion to straighten and cause an increase in curvature upon the lateral portions having normally less curvature. The increase in curvature of the lateral portions would tend to move them outwardly and increase the pressure upon those portions, thereby'equalizing the pressure about the periphery of the toe. On the other hand, if the pressure upon the lateral portions should become too great, they would tend to straighten and increase the curvature at the toe, thereby forcing the toe portion outwardly and increasing the pressure at that point. Accordingly by the use of a flexible band the pressure effected by the tool against the upper upon the wipers is automatically distributed throughout the various portions of its contour and undersi 'able localization ot' stretching is avoided.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States is l. A lasting tool ot' the character described comprising a cross piece having downturned ends, and a wall or body portion secured upon said downturned ends, said body portion being tapered in opposite directions to present right and lett toe portions.

2. A lasting tool of the character described comprising a cross piece having downturned ends, a wall portion secured upon the same, and tapered in opposite directions to present right and let't toe portions, and prongs depending` from the cross piece and extending beneath the lower edge of the wall portion.

3. A lasting tool of the character described comprising a cross piece, a body portion connected therewith and having a right and left toe portion, prongs extending downwardly from the cross piece beneath the lower edge oi the body portion, and a handle connected with and extending upwardly from the cross piece.

4;. A lasting tool of the character described comprising a cross piece, downwardly extending prongs connected therewith, a handle secured upon the cross piece and having flange portions overlapping the heads of the prongs, and a body portion securely connected with the cross piece and tapered in opposite directions 'to present right and lett toe portions.

5. A device oi the class described, comprising a blunt edged band forming a wall, a handle attached to the wall and extending beyond the plane of the band, and prongs connected with the device and extending beyond the plane of the band on the side opposite to the handle.

6. A device of the class described, comprising an endless band inclosing a kidneyshaped area, a handle attached to said band by which the band may be manipulated and reversed in the operation of lasting the toe of a shoe, and means in operative relation to the face of the band which lies next to the insole for preventing displacement or' the band when in use.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a wall inclosing an oval area, a handle arranged centrally o'tl the wall so that the wall may be reversed for using one end upon right shoes and the other upon left shoes, and means for preventing displacement of the device longitudinally ot the last.

8. A device of the class described, comprising an endless ribbon forming an outwardly convex wall substantially perpendicular to the insole of the shoe when the device is in position for use, and through which endless wall the portion of the work within the band is exposed :t'or inspection, and a handle for manipulating the device in lasting the toe of a shoe.

9. A tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting` machines, comprising a toe upper engaging portion arranged to inclose the toe ot' the last and to reach below the plane of the insole to clamp the upper upon the wipers below said plane and having a fulcrum in the plane oi the insole about which it may be turned during the upward movement ot' the wipers.

l0. A tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines comprising a toe upper engaging port-ion arranged to inclose the toe ot the last and to reach below the plane of the insole to clamp the upper upon the wipers below said plane, rst at the toe portion and, as the upward movement of the wipers progresses, to clamp the upper at the sides of the toe upon the wipers.

ll. A tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines, comprising a toe upper engaging portion arranged to embrace the toe of the last when in an inclined position and to reach below the plane of the i11- sole to clamp the upper upon the wipers and having a fulcrum in t-he plane of the insole about which it may turn during the upward movement of the wipers, said tool acting to clamp the upper also at the sides as it approaches the horizontal and permitting the wipers to wipe under the same as they reach the plane of the insole feather.

12. A tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines comprising a toe engaging portion arranged to engage the toe of the last and to reach below the plane of the insole and clamp the upper upon the wipers, said tool having a transverse bearing about which it rotates as the wipers are raised.

13. A lasting tool, having a body portion arranged to pivotl upon a transverse axis in the plane of the insole and adapted to reach down over the toe of the last to spread the upper upon the wip-ers when they are depressed and having a square wort engaging edge which, when the body portion is in inclined position, presents a. gripping corner to the work, and as the wipers are raised and the body portion is rotated on its axis toward a horizontal position the gripping action of the corner is released and the upper is held upon the wipers by frictional contact.

14:. A lasting tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines, comprising a body portion having a thin lower edge adapted for manual actuation to spread the upper over and clamp it down upon the wipers, and a handle attached to said body portion for manipulating the tool.

15. A lasting tool, Comprising a portion contoured for a right toe and a portion oontoured for'a left toe, each portion being adapted to extend about the toe portion of the last and to reach with its lower edge the Wipers when they are depressed, the right toe portion being resilient to enable it to coliform to dierent shaped right toes and the left toe portion being resilient to enable it to conform to different shaped left toes. v

16. A tool for use in bed lasting machines comprising an open loo-p or hoop shaped in semblance of the toe portion of a shoe and having a handle extending at an angle to the plane thereof, said loop or hoop being adapted to spread the upper of a shoe against the end lasting plates or Wipers and to hold it down upon the Wipers during their lasting movements.

17. A tool for use in bed lasting machines comprising an open hoop so shaped as to inclose the toe port-ion of the shoe and to drop over the toe of the last into Contact With the Lipper inside the lasting plates or Wipers and having a handle whereby it may be manipulated to hold the upper against the Wipers during their upward and inward wiping movements.

18. A lasting tool for use in lasting shoes upon bed lasting machines, comprising a. body port-ion having a thin lower edge adapted to reach below the plane of the insole on a last and clamp the upper down upon the Wipers, and a handle attached to said body portion for manipulating the tool, said body portion being laterally resilient to enable it to be readily deformed by lateral pressure for adaptation to the toes of lasts having dierent contours.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FRED D. CROSIER.

Witnesses ALFRED E. C. HALL, A. MILDRED LYoNs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents# Washington, D. C. 

